Dr. Griswold

Still Nina's mind was enshrouded in as deep a gloom as ever, and
Dr. Griswold, who, toward the latter part of June, came to see
her, said it would be so always. There was no hope of her
recovery, and with his olden tenderness of manner he caressed his
former patient, sighing as he thought of the weary life before
her.

For two days Dr. Griswold remained at Grassy Spring, learning
in that time much how matters stood. He saw Edith Hastings,--
scanned with his clear, far-reaching eye every action of Arthur
St. Claire, and when at last his visit was ended, and Arthur was
walking with him to the depot, he said abruptly, "I am sorry for
you, St. Claire; more sorry than I ever was before, but you know
the path of duty and you must walk in it, letting your eyes stray
to neither side, lest they fall upon forbidden fruit."

Arthur made no reply save to kick the gnarled roots of the tree
under which they had stopped for a few moments.

"Edith Hastings is very beautiful!" Dr. Griswold remarked
suddenly, and as if SHE had just entered his mind. "Does she come
often to Grassy Spring?"

"Every day," and Arthur tried to look his friend fully in the
face, but could not, and his brown eyes fell as he added hastily,
"she comes to see Nina; they are greatly attached."